A good chunk of time this summer was spent ruminating over my shapeshifting character, Caleb (seen here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/36253559/ )

With these practice pictures ive made, I've finally cemented what I feel is the design I want for him now. Most of the changes are in the cloak he wears, but there are some facial elements that have changed too. Most notably, his eyes, which are more traditional now.

Orange, the current color his spots and eyes display, is a color of focus and high-alert.

I didn't just draw facial expressions - I also drew my precious boy in action. Now, spelleaters can't typically cast magic of their own volition, but Caleb is unique in that, due to circumstances I wont get into here, the ability to use magic was forced upon him. Due to the collision of these countering natures, Caleb's magic is a "reinterpretation" of the original source. When designing these, I had a mental map of how they might work in terms of RPG logic

Scarlet Rend is derrived from fire magic, and the concepts of ruin and destruction. The attack doesn't cause harm itself, but acts as a debuff, lowering stats and applying a "curse" that causes the target to hurt themselves whenever they inflict harm on another person - the fire burns without favor or remorse; the hand holding the match is as much kindling as the pyre.